Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC)

The Homestake Mine had recently closed, and with it came the offer to donate a trove of photos, maps, drawings and other documents, which drove the need for an entire new facility to house the collection. The project became a tripartite partnership between the Town of Deadwood to own the building, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission to provide major project funding, and the Adams Museum to operate the facility.

The two-story structure was vacant, adequately sized and sited conveniently along the main arterial highway through town. Renovation into a world-class research center was envisioned. An addition houses the new entry and an elevator shaft to provide accessibility which echoes the easily recognizable architectural vocabulary of the former Yates mine shaft. The exterior required carefully working within the rigid constraints of the sensitive boundaries of the National Historic Landmark town. The facility is organized with the collection on the main level due to the existing structural capacity of the upper level. The large open floor plan allows minimal staff to multi-function while keeping a watchful eye on the collection. The upper level contains meeting rooms and administrative offices, and windows were cut in to allow natural light and uninterrupted views to the heavily forested canyon walls on either side.

The interior look borrows cues from the former underground mine along with reuse of original map drawer and library shelf furnishings. Open floor plan with carefully planned security grilles allow use of the upper floor meeting rooms during non-business hours.

Letter of Reference from Mary Kopco

Location
Deadwood, South Dakota

Owner
Adams Museum Board
Mary Kopco, (former)Director
970-482-4823

Contractor
Scull Construction
Jeff Clark, Project Manager
605-342-2379

Role
Architect of Record
Interior Design

Personnel
Lyle Murtha, Principal Architect

Scope
Feasibility Study
Repurposing
Addition (Elevator)
Design-Bid-Build (Phase 1)
Construction Manager (Phase 2)

Size
15,000 Square Feet

Cost
$1.7 Million

Completed
2011